Brock Purdy gets boost to hopes of ending 2024 on a high as 49ers confirm inactives for Lions game
Brock Purdy entered Week 17 with the prospect of having two brand new starting tackles for the San Francisco 49ers' clash with the Detroit Lions. A knee injury to right tackle Colton McKivitz threatened to leave the Niners with no choice but to start Austen Pleasants and Charlie Heck, who have each been with the […]
Brock Purdy entered Week 17 with the prospect of having two brand new starting tackles for the San Francisco 49ers' clash with the Detroit Lions.
A knee injury to right tackle Colton McKivitz threatened to leave the Niners with no choice but to start Austen Pleasants and Charlie Heck, who have each been with the team under two weeks, at the two tackle spots.
But McKivitz, listed as questionable, is active for the Niners' final home game of the season.
As such, the 49ers will have to decide whether to start Pleasants or Heck at left tackle. Pleasants has been with the team slightly longer, signing with the practice squad on December 17.
Heck was signed on December 25 but is more likely to be familiar with the verbiage of the offense having played under former Kyle Shanahan assistant Bobby Slowik for the Houston Texans last season.
Asked about Heck's experience in the scheme, Shanahan said on Saturday: "He has the most familiarity with some terminology.
"So anytime there’s some crossover, different O-Line coaches, you go to different places, you change your words and stuff, but a lot, when it comes from the same foundation you have some familiarity and so it’s not completely starting a new language. That always helps."
Also active is safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who was listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Rookie offensive lineman Drake Nugent will make his debut for the 49ers having been elevated from the practice squad.
Curiously, the 49ers will have just two running backs active in Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. after Israel Abanikanda was listed among the inactives.
Abanikanda does not have a carry since being claimed off waivers on December 3.
The 49ers' shortage of true running backs likely points to a big role in the ground game for wide receiver Deebo Samuel, in what could be his final home game as a 49er if San Francisco elects to make him a cap casualty in the offseason following a disappointing 2024 campaign.
49ers inactives vs. Lions
- QB Brandon Allen
- DL Khalil Davis
- LB Dre Greenlaw
- OL Spencer Burford
- DL Robert Beal Jr.
- CB Charvarius Ward
- RB Israel Abanikanda
49ers announce roster moves that could confirm the end of high draft pick’s career with the team
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